Libya's Rival Military Chiefs Discuss Reunification of Armed Forces
The talks follow months of U.S.-backed diplomacy and April budget and military cooperation steps between Libya’s rival governments, officials said.
- On Sunday, top military leaders from Libya's rival armies met in Sirte to discuss ongoing efforts to reunify the country's military, facilitated by the UN Support Mission in Libya.
- Libya has remained divided between two rival administrations since 2023, with Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah ruling the west from Tripoli and Prime Minister Ossama Hammad leading the east.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Monday with Saddam Haftar, the deputy commander of Libya's eastern army, discussing "possible avenues for cooperation to advance unity and peace in Libya."
- A proposed reunification plan involves a 36-month transitional power-sharing setup positioning Dbeibah as prime minister and Saddam as presidential council head, which Africa envoy Massad Boulos claims will "represent all Libyans fully, fairly and inclusively."
- Critics warn the plan could entrench ruling elites rather than empower citizens. Libya analyst Emadeddin Badi stated "this isn't inclusive at all" and doubted stakeholders would implement changes despite international backing.
23 Articles
23 Articles
The US and Italia are working together in Libya to reunite the two halves
The US has taken the Tripoli and Benghazi dossier back under its wing. It arranged a meeting in Angola between the two chiefs of staff and summoned Saddam Haftar to Washington. The diplomatic adviser to Palazzo Chigi was also present.
Obama has a lot to say about everything but his foreign policy
Opening his new Presidential Center in Chicago, Barack Obama once again gave eloquent expression to his faith in the fundamental American values of democracy and community. Yet, a decade after his presidency, he has still not published his promised second volume of White House memoirs, which could show how he tried to realize those values in the real world during his final six years in power. In contrast, Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clint…
For Jalel Harchaoui, a specialist on Libya, a country divided between two rival powers, the meeting scheduled for July 12, 2026, between the chiefs of staff of the East and Tripoli, facilitated in particular by the United States, does not represent any "major commitments." The analyst also points to an emphasis placed on the north of the country, whereas "so far, this year's security problems have been concentrated primarily in the south."
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